Fatal Moped Hit and Run in Long Beach
Thread started by
trickmilla at 02.27.09 - 12:11 pm
http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_11668379
LONG BEACH - A woman was arrested by early Sunday after she allegedly ran a red light in an SUV and hit two motorcycle drivers, killing one man and critically injuring another, police said.
The suspect was traveling southbound on Cherry Avenue in a 2001 Chevy Tahoe on Sunday just past midnight when she allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Cherry and Fourth Street, hitting two motorcycles heading westbound on Fourth, said Long Beach Police Sgt. Dina Zapalski.
David Golz, 29, of Long Beach, was taken to a hospital, where he died from major head trauma, police said. His companion, James Culver, 31, of Long Beach, also suffered head trauma and was in critical condition.
Witnesses followed the Chevy Tahoe to the area of Third Avenue and Pine Street and called police, Zapalski said.
Brenda Rossal, 28, of Long Beach, was held for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident, running a red light and being an unlicensed driver.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Long Beach Police Accident Investigations Detectives David Lauro or Sirilo Garcia at 562-570-7355.
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I know the brothers of both of these guys.
One is dead, the other is in critical condition, and thankfully is expected to have a very strong recovery.
Its really sad.
The rumor I have heard is that the driver in question was possibly drinking but "friends" in LBPD have tried to cover up that fact.
The streets of Long Beach are really mellow compaed to LA ... but when somebody runs a red and is driving a massive beast of an SUV there is not much one can do to be safe from that.
trickmilla02.27.09 - 12:15 pm
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trickmilla, I'm so sorry for your friends' brothers. What a shitty, shitty thing. It's just ... shitty. I can't find a word strong enough.
"Brenda Rossal, 28, of Long Beach, was held for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident, running a red light and being an unlicensed driver."
She's fucked.
"The rumor I have heard is that the driver in question was possibly drinking but "friends" in LBPD have tried to cover up that fact."
Real friends would keep her off the road.
katiepoche02.27.09 - 12:19 pm
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I cross that intersection all the time. Out of all the intersections on fourth, that's one of the worst. It's busy and a tight road on Cherry.
My condolences to the family.
User102.27.09 - 12:19 pm
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I met one of the guys one time: James who is my friend Bergen's younger brother. But aside my tangential relationship to the victims and their families. I think this really made me sad because I love a lot of people who ride a bike and realized in an instant that it just as easily could have been any of us.
I really need to be more consistent about wearing the damn helmet!
btw/ they guys were huge moped clubbies and they were riding mopeds not motorcycles.
trickmilla02.27.09 - 12:32 pm
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Patrick,
How do you know the police were trying to cover this up? What's the reason for this?
User102.27.09 - 12:45 pm
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i heard about that last week,really sad.doubt a helmet would of helped.
as a matter of record,never ride on the major streets in long beach at night esp.at bar closing time.
avoid;ocean,4th,7th,anahiem,p.c.h.
better choices;1st.,3rd.,colorado,10th.
i am so sorry to hear about people being killed.best wishes to the famly
robert stanfield02.27.09 - 1:16 pm
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I'm assuming they were both wearing helmets.
They both suffered sever head trauma.
I understand through a friend that the surviving rider's brain is still fully intact. If he is in ICU with head trauma and was wearing a hemet. It is safe to assume that the helmet saved his life.
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@ User1 - the rumor that some cops were some how covering up for the driver was just something i read on the PT comments section of the story. I have no evidence whatsoever that this is true. The stated reason is that police frequented the bar she worked at, and supposedly she may be dating a cop. Again nothing substantial to back any of this up.
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The Accident in question was just after midnight. Not exactly prime hours for drunks on the road.
In Long Beach, smart drunks drive 3rd street, but maybe those are the drunks you want to be sharing the road with. Clearly the stupid drunks prefer to blast down busier streets and ignore the signals.
trickmilla02.27.09 - 1:30 pm
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How about now ...
I just read this facebook on the Ed Magos Ride page and my dinner is working its way back up to my mouth.
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Bergen Culver wrote
at 7:08pm
"The woman who hit and killed David and almost killed my brother and then fled the scene without a license.. is spending a year in prison.. I know many people who have spent years in prison for doing soo much less...... I'm not a vengeful person.. but.. come on.."
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trickmilla responding to a
comment by Roadblock
02.23.10 - 11:24 pm
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I have been mad about this stuff for some time. The stress is starting to get to me...
outerspace02.24.10 - 3:19 am
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